After a flash in the pan, the Tribe gave him the world and now he's turned into a stiff. Making 11.5M in 2010, then 13M in 2011, 2012. He's killing the Tribe with big bucks and no production. Plus he can nix any trade deals he doesn't like.

Mr. 300 wrote: After a flash in the pan, the Tribe gave him the world and now he's turned into a stiff. Making 11.5M in 2010, then 13M in 2011, 2012. He's killing the Tribe with big bucks and no production. Plus he can nix any trade deals he doesn't like.

Can they? I honestly don't know if they can or not lol. Wouldn't Hafner have to agree, why the hell would he?

His contract is terrible and thats why you don't give out huge contracts after one great year.

Why would Hafner rework his deal? not gonna happen.

dave wrote: Why would Hafner rework his deal? not gonna happen.

If he truly wants to help the team, he would. He can't do it on the field. that's for sure.

He is laughing all the way to the bank and all the way to retirement once his contract expires with the Indians

I'm sure Hafner would be all about giving away millions of dollars to help out a below average team. Makes enough sense.

He'll probably have to retire after these next 3 years. He had 3 great years where he was underpaid to get this 1 big contract. Gotta cash in while he can, it's not like the team would put the money they saved back into the roster, and even if they did it wouldn't make them a winner.

Mr. 300 wrote:

dave wrote: Why would Hafner rework his deal? not gonna happen.

If he truly wants to help the team, he would. He can't do it on the field. that's for sure.

I like your thinking, but in reality, it is very rare for any athlete to take any kind of restructure that doesn't immediately benefit them.

dave wrote: He'll probably have to retire after these next 3 years. He had 3 great years where he was underpaid to get this 1 big contract. Gotta cash in while he can, it's not like the team would put the money they saved back into the roster, and even if they did it wouldn't make them a winner.

Truth.

I think it is suspicious that Hafner soon went on the DL after signing that contract. He was struggling all year...then in July he signs a contract. Not much later a mysterious shoulder weakness. It is not inconcievable that he knew he was hurt.

Id like to see them rework it. Pay it all up front this season and have him play for free the next 2 years

You usually rework contracts of guys that are underpaid, because you are appreciative of their work and you want to keep them happy.

This is not the case with Hafner.

If he truly wants to help the team, he would. He can't do it on the field. that's for sure.
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Last I recall, MLB has no salary cap, so him reworking his deal shouldn't matter at all. I think teams like the Yankees take advantage of the system in place, but so do teams like Cleveland, Tampa Bay, etc. that make enough money to pay players to stay and to come, but refuse to do so. He shouldn't have to rework a shitty deal that the team negotiated with him, the team should grow some balls and spend a little money and get some additional talent in Cleveland. Maybe when they do that, people will start showing up to games more often, and they will make their money back, and then some.

Yes, they should. They should buy it out and take the hit. No way he's going to take a pay cut, would you? I wouldn't. But they need to get rid of him.